Account login   |   Create an account

Posts Tagged ‘Things to Do’

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Ideas

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Ideas

Valentine’s Day is just 3 days away and is sure to catch a few of us offguard.  If you haven’t ordered roses, made a dinner reservation, or gotten construction paper together for the kids to make a card, then you’re probably running out of time.

But instead of making a bunch of calls or running a bunch of errands, why not book one of

Massage Stones

Southern WV’s great romantic packages?  From Twin Falls to Pipestem and the Nostalgia Inn all offer “sweet” deals from spa treatments to ballroom dancing lessons.

Not sure if you can get away this weekend?  Plan a trip for later in February when you can have a last skiing hoorah or give a gift certificate for spring when special events like the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival or Bramwell Spring Homes Tour kick off the warmer season.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Places to Stay, Things to Do | No Comments »

Sledding Down Mountains ( Just Like Calvin & Hobbes)

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

Sledding Down Mountains

( Just Like Calvin & Hobbes)

Some of the greatest memories ever made included the simplest of items.  Cookie dough and your kids, a huge roll of paper and some paints, or even a few inner-tubes on some freshly fallen snow.

Tubing at Winterplace Ski Resort

Those of you in the deep south know the feeling you got when you saw your first snowflake or when your kids built their first snowman.  But the time honored tradition of sledding is just as swell.  Kids of all ages (including the adult variety) can find so much joy in gliding down mountains.

If your travels take you to Southern WV this winter, be sure and take in some sledding at our top locations – Winterplace Ski Resort and Pipestem State Park.

Winterplace offers WV’s largest tubing park with two great Super Carpet lifts to whisk you back to the top of the mountain. (Now don’t you wish we had that as kids?)

Pipestem offers a little family fun as their Driving Range goes snowy.  The park’s Pro Shop offers sled and cross country ski rentals by the hour or by the day and a great hill for sledding.

What memories does sledding conjure up for you?  Snow days off from school?  Calvin and Hobbes strapped in a toboggan?  Or your last trip to WV?

When was the last time you went sledding?

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Things to Do | 1 Comment »

Haunted Happenings & Halloween Events, Southern West Virginia-Style

Monday, October 4th, 2010
Haunted Southern West Virginia...

Haunted Southern West Virginia...

Updated for 2010

Everyone knows what makes October in southern West Virginia spook-tacular.  It’s the haunted houses!  No, wait, it’s the festivals!  Right?

Actually, it’s both.  Plus, the colors.  We have great leaves.  Adds to the atmosphere.  Of course, when it’s dark out, the colors don’t matter, and all that crunching is probably letting whoever’s hiding in the woods know EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE!  MWWAHAHAHA!

Too much?  Sorry.  A blog isn’t the best place to scare people.  So we put together a list of some Halloween haunts that will do just that.  Plus, there’s a big list of activities that aren’t scary at all, right down below.

Here are both calendars.  And here’s hoping you have a happy and safe southern West Virginia Halloween this year…

HAUNTED HOUSE CALENDAR
5th Annual Haunted Hotel:  This one’s in Mount Hope, WV, in the former Mountaineer Hotel.  Open October 15, 16, 22, 23, 25-30 from 7-10 pm.  $8 admission or $6 plus two can food items to be donated to the Raleigh County Homeless Shelter.   Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Little Beaver State Park Haunted Trail:  Oct 22-31st.  Dark until 10 weekdays, until 11 weekends.  $6 for adults, $4 for children 304-763-2494

MSU Forensic Investigation Association’s Annual Haunted House: Takes place at the Crime Scene House, 703 S Kanawha St. The house will be open from October 13-31st (closed on Oct 17, 20th and 24th).  Times:  Mon-Wed and Halloween Sunday 7-11pm; Thurs-Sat 7-Midnight.  Cost is $8 Mon-Wed and $10 Thurs-Sat and Halloween night.  There is a different theme every year at the house – the theme this year is “Scary Movies”.

MSU’s Criminal Justice Club will host “MSU Solve that Crime” a real life version of the popular board game Clue.  Dates are Oct 8,9, 15 and 16th at  MSU’s O’Dell Hall located at 210 Minnesota Avenue in Beckley.

For more information about both of these MSU events visit the Mountain State University blog

First Annual Fright Nights @ The Resort at Glade Springs: Once the sun sets, visitors travel down the Haunted Trail where the nightmare begins.  Haunted hay rides, horse rides and carriage rides.  $15 Adults, $10 for ages 12 and under.  http://www.facebook.com/GladeSpringsWV?v=app_6009294086

16th Annual Second Creek Haunted Trail: This is a haunted trail that benefits the community as well as families in need. It’s the 16th year of operation and the trail sees upwards of 1500 guests each year! Dates are Oct 15, 16, 22, 23, 29,  and 30th. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for under 12. No children under 5 allowed. Open from dark to 11pm.   www.wvhauntedtrail.com
304-645-7450 or 304-645-2696

Princeton City Park Haunted Trail: Hours will be at the from dark-11pm   October 16, 22, 23, and 30th.  Park at the Princeton Rec Center then take a hayride to the park.  The Trail will be in Princeton City Park.   Admission is $5/person. Info: 304-487-5040.

The Haunted House in Pineville: Opens on October 22nd and runs through October 30th from 7-10 pm.  Located in the old Sears building in downtown Pineville.    Admission is $5 per person and proceeds benefit the Wyoming County 4-H.  304-732-6255 ext 11.

Haunted History Tours: This one’s at the Whipple Company Store in Scarborough.  Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays in Oct.  No one under 21 yrs of age. This is NOT a haunted house of smoke and mirrors, nothing is fake, this is  authentic haunted history. $25 per person. 8:30 to 11 pm.  Flashlights provided. http://www.whipplecompanystore.com/hauntedhistorytours.html

NOT-SO-SCARY-STUFF CALENDAR

Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze:   Each weekend in October, the Okes Family Farm in Shady Spring will feature a different event, such as pumpkin carving and painting, homemade apple butter to sample and buy, hay rides, bonfires and an acre-and-a-half corn maze. For more information, call 304-673-3268 or 304-673-3308 or visit www.okesfamilyfarms.com.

Tailgate Halloween: The Youth Museum of Southern WV will present the 24th Annual Tailgate Halloween in uptown Beckley from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, Oct 30th.

Autumn Fest in Pineville:  from 5 to 9pm this Saturday, Oct 23rd.  Includes a Halloween Tailgate Party for children, annual chili cook-off, pie-baking contest, pumpkin decorating contest, cake walk,  adult and children’s costume contests and more.  Fest info 304-732-6255 ext 11.

Pipestem’s Annual Pumpkin Run: October 30, 2010 www.pipestemresort.com
304-466-1800 or 800-225-5982  31st Annual 5k, 10k Pumpkin Run.  Get out there and run your pumpkins off!!

Byrnside Branch Farm: Open Fridays – Sunday through November 7th.  Corn maze, pumpkins, hayrides, mini-horse and wagon hitch ride, antique tractor train ride.  Located in Union, WV. www.byrnsidebranchfarm.com or 304-772-3131

Cinderella Pumpkin Farm: Open Monday – Friday through October.  Features hayrides, moon bounce, corn maze and more. Red Sulpher Springs, WV. www.cinderellapumpkinfarm.com

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 18 Comments »

The Top 50 Reasons To Go White Water Rafting In West Virginia

Monday, July 12th, 2010

1.    It’s hot outside.
2.    Rafting is the summer tradition in West Virginia (if you make it one).

New River Rafting

3.    Guides are ridiculously funny.
4.    White water brings people closer together.
5.    There’s no better way to see a gorge than from the river.
6.    Rapids are like roller coasters, but wetter.
7.    It’s really hot outside.
8.    You get great pictures of yourself doing something awesome.
9.    You’ll make memories.
10.     Butterflies in your stomach and a smile on your face.
11.     Amazing scenery.
12.     White water is the best way in the world to get back in touch with nature.
13.     Sometimes you watch the show, and sometimes you are the show.
14.     You can’t really wear the T-shirt unless you’ve been down the river.
15.     Amazing riverside lunch.
16.     Learning to surf West Virginia style (they really do surf rafts).
17.     It’s really incredibly hot outside.
18.     Swimming in the pools in between rapids.
19.     Paddling through the rapids in between pools.
20.     Getting smacked in the face with a wave is the river’s way of saying hi.
21.     You can push family members out of the raft.
22.     The family section of the New River (the Upper New) is perfect for kids.

Family Duckie Trip on Upper New River

23.     It’s also perfect for scaredy-cats.
24.     Summer rafting on the Gauley River is a sure fire way to have the whole place to yourselves.
25.     It’s really incredibly, insanely hot outside.
26.     Rafting is like being on a lake; a very narrow lake with huge waves.
27.     If you fall out of the raft, you’ll have a story to tell forever.
28.     If you stay in the raft, you’ll have a story to tell forever.
29.     Dinner tastes better after a rafting trip.
30.     You’ll meet people who are just as much fun as you are.
31.     Rafting leads to other stuff, like ATV rides, bike trips, and canopy tours.
32.     It will become an addiction (a good one).
33.     Rapids with names like “Scramble Like A Rat” and “Lost Paddle”.
34.     Your bus driver will be the most interesting person you meet all year.
35.     It’s really incredibly, insanely, ridiculously hot outside.
36.     You can show off that back flip at Jump Rock.
37.     It’s a scientific fact that there is no better way to make kids go to bed early than a day of white water rafting.
38.     You can show off those new river shorts/bathing suit.
39.     You’ll laugh harder than you have in a long, long time.
40.     Rapids on white water rivers make you feel alive.
41.     You can see deer, bald eagles, fish, and all kinds of other cool wildlife.
42.     It’s a great place to re-learn what poison ivy looks like and how to avoid it.
43.     Rafting lets you learn about the natural world and have fun at the same time.
44.     White water rivers are great places to challenge yourself.
45.     There’s no feeling on earth like paddling off the lip of a horizon line into a rapid.
46.     Rafting makes your vacation time really count.
47.     Your kids will think you’re the coolest person in the world (for a while).
48.     Best. Vacation. Ever.
49. It’s really, incredibly, insanely, ridiculously, stupendously hot outside.
50.     White water rafting is the best way in the universe to cool off.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Things to Do, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

5 Simple Ways To Plan A Family Vacation To West Virginia

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Okay, full disclosure: we want you to come to southern West Virginia.  Guess the secret’s out!

But here are some tips you can use to plan a family vacation to

Family Visiting an Overlook in the New River Gorge

anywhere.  Even somewhere that’s, say, not the most beautiful mountains on earth (ahem!).  These little shortcuts can save you money while you’re away from home.  And more importantly, they can make sure that everyone has a great time on vacation.

1.  Check On Events Specials

Here’s the secret about events: They’re everywhere.  And businesses will often offer special discounts on lodging, food, and activities surrounding the event.  This is a great way to save and plan at the same time.  Plus, searching for events is a good way to plan your vacation around something everyone in the family enjoys, like a music festival or river fest or a huge 4th of July event.

2. Plan On The Shoulder

If you can make your schedule more flexible than the next person, you’ll end up ahead.  Midweek is the time to book everything:  more availability, lower rates, and less crowded.  Plus one more benefit:  We cannot confirm this -it’s only a rumor- but supposedly, the weather is better during the week.  Going to have to check the almanac on that one.

3.  Double Check On Activities

A lot of outdoor adventures have age or weight guidelines for kids.  It’s always a good idea to call again after you’ve booked to double check that you’re reservationist got you in the right space.  There’s really nothing worse than showing up booked for the wrong trip or activity, especially when there are kids involved.  Checking up saves time and possibly tears in the long run.

4.  Crowdsource Your Vacation Ideas

The tools to review your experience exist for almost everything today, and vacations lead the way.  Check online to see how others have rated a particular experience, and ask the community what they think.  This idea of crowdsourcing is a powerful tool to make your vacation dollars -and more importantly, your vacation hours- count.

5.  Use A Convention And Visitors Bureau

You didn’t think we’d leave this out, did you?  In fact, we saved the best tip for last.  Use a CVB (hey, that’s us!) to help plan your trip, and you can’t go wrong.  Why?  Helping plan trips is our business.  And we’re free to use!  CVBs are a wealth of local information, and isn’t that really what you’re looking for?  The best restaurants, the right activities, the perfect lodging… these are the questions we at the Southern West Virginia CVB answer every day.

What about you?  Have a little go-to advice for planning a family vacation?  Something West Virginia specific, maybe?  We’d love to hear about it.

We’d love to help you even more.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Baseball… In Southern WV!

Friday, April 16th, 2010

When you come to southern West Virginia, you have some expectations, generally.  Natural beauty.  Secluded mountain cabins.  White water rafting, maybe.  Adventure.  Art.  That sort of thing.

Most people don’t think, “baseball”.  But they should.  Southern WV has

Power Park - Home of the WV Power

long been home to three minor league teams, the furthest south being the Princeton Rays and the Bluefield Orioles.  They’ve provided the area with awesome baseball for decades.

And let’s not forget the West Virginia Power, whose long history as a franchise in Charleston as the Alley Cats, the Charlies, and the Senators (originally the Toledo Mud Hens!) has given the state a baseball team to cheer on since 1952.

And now Beckley will step in.  A brand new, non-pro collegiate franchise, The West Virginia Miners, will begin play in “the small town with a mine of its own”.  Here’s some info to get you ready…

  • The Miners will play in the Prospect League.  This league is designed for college players and uses wooden bats (NCAA college teams use aluminum bats, but all other rules apply).  That makes it unique among other collegiate leagues.
  • There’s a brand new, state of the art baseball stadium for the team in Beckley.  The Linda K. Epling Stadium may even be outfitted with extra bleacher seats pre-season to meet demand for tickets.
  • The Miners are developing a competitive junior league for both girls and boys called the Red Hats.  The boys will play in under-8, -10, and -12 divisions, and the girls will play under 18 softball.  Home field for the kids?  You guessed it- Epling Stadium.
  • Since the Miners are a collegiate club, the organization is running a promotion to find host families for some of its players.  Host families that “adopt a Miner” get all kinds of perks in addition to the satisfaction of helping the team, like season tickets and parking passes.
  • The West Virginia Miners’ home opener is on Saturday June 5th at 7 p.m.  Expect the whole city to come out and welcome the team, so get your tickets early.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Spring In Southern West Virginia

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Comin’ In Like A Mountain Lion
It’s March!  Time for, um, madness.  And four leaf clovers.  And lambs going out somewhere.

Actually, none of that makes much difference – Spring is on the way!  After the amazing, record breaking winter we just had, the sun is a fine sight to see.

Okay, “amazing” isn’t the word that some people would use.  But it was amazing if you like to ski, or sled, or play outside in the snow.  And even if you don’t, you have to admit it was still pretty cool.  For a while, anyway.

Ok, we won’t talk about snow anymore . . .

It’s

Whitewater Rafting in WV

White Water Time!

Go down to any river in Southern West Virginia and grab up some water and splash it on your face.  Wow!  That’ll wake you right up!

Well, if that’s your idea of refreshing, you’d be surprised how many people think exactly like you do.  Any idea?

It’s enough people to start white water rafting season off in West Virginia.  The weather can get chilly, but it’s nothing compared to how cool it is to go rafting before anyone else in the world.

Plus, there’s a real reason people go whitewater rafting in March and April:  You’re guaranteed some of the best whitewater of the year.  Spring is when the rivers run high, which means bigger rapids.

And every outfitter in West Virginia has hot showers at the end of the trip.  If you’re at all adventurous, you should give spring rafting a shot.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Things to Do | No Comments »

The 15 Most Romantic Things About Southern West Virginia

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Well, there’s almost no end to the romance when it comes to our particular spot here in the heart (get it?) of the Appalachians.

Scenic Winter View of the New River Gorge

Here’s a list of 15 things that are sure to get your baby to cuddle right up and give you a smooch.  If you’re lucky.

  • Cabin Getaways. A log on the fire, no phone, and no distractions.
  • Scenic Drives.  Driving slow up a winding road, with no particular place to go.
  • A Walk In The Woods. You have to bundle up, but oh-so-nice.
  • The Spa Treatment. You know it can’t last forever, but you can enjoy it while it does.
  • Historic Houses.  Bed and Breakfasts offer those perfect romantic mini-vacations.
  • Casino Nights. Invite a little luck into your night out and win big.
  • Art and More. West Virginia is a showcase for art, and gallery openings can be as romantic as it gets.
  • Scenic Overlooks. With as many mountains as we have, it’s not hard to find the perfect spot.
  • Romantic Adventures.  Skiing and snowboarding and tubing are a great way to find a little active romance.
  • Shopping Sprees. You don’t have to spend every dime to find that     perfect something special together.
  • Libraries.  No joke.  It’s a little known fact that bookworms are some of the most passionate Mountaineers.
  • Sports.  Between the Mountaineers, the Herd, and the West Virginia Blazers, it’s not hard to find a dinner-and-b-ball date to take a date.
  • Winter Camping. It’s not for everyone, but couples who camp in the winter have the outdoors to themselves, and, of course, you do have to keep warm.
  • Live Music.  West Virginia’s live music scene is small but vibrant, great for a date.
  • Moving.  One of the most passionate things anyone will ever do is move to southern West Virginia.   We call it wild and wonderful for a reason, and it’s a great place to share for a lifetime.  What’s more romantic than that?

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

The Best Day Trips In Southern West Virginia

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Snowtubing at Winterplace

Snowtubing at Winterplace

Here’s a nice way to get out and around in the winter:  Plan a West Virginia Day Trip.

Here are two suggestions for taking mountain state tours.  One’s a north/south itinerary, and the other is an east/west itinerary.

See West Virginia in the winter, South To North

-Soon after you cross the state line, head into Bluefield to have an early lunch at Gary Bowling’s House Of Art.  It’s filled with unique, beautiful pieces from floor to ceiling.  And the food is as good as the art.

-Take another detour to go snowtubing at Winterplace Ski resort.  Tickets are sold in 2 hour blocks, and there are no special skills or equipment you need.  Gravity + snow + an intertube = fun!

-Keep heading north, stopping in Beckley at the always wonderful Tamarack.  Even if you’re just window shopping, there’s still plenty to see.  Oh, and you’ll want to eat there too.  All the food is done by the Greenbrier- don’t miss it.

-Once you cross the New River Gorge Bridge, take a winter zip line tour at Adventure West Virginia Resort.  It’s kind of a cross between being Santa Claus and Tarzan.  If you’ve never done it, go.

-Bed down in a cabin near the Gauley River in Nicholas County.  Perfect Day.

See West Virginia in the winter, East To West

-Start at the Virginia state line, and leave that place behind.  Head straight for the lap of luxury at the Greenbrier Resort and take a tour of the once secret underground bunker that was built to keep the president and congress safe.  Amazing.

-Head to the Monroe County line, near Lewisburg, to head underground once more to tour the Organ Cave. It’s a pretty good mix of natural and human history- not only do bats hide there, but about 3000 confederate soldiers hid out there during the civil war.

-Beckley again?  Try checking out some minor league Basketball at the Civic Center.  Seeing a West Virginia Blazers game is a great way to spend an afternoon.

-Head to Pineville and get out on the Hatfield and McCoy ATV trails.  Outfitters in the area have everything you need to get out and ride.  Talk about your winter wonderland.

-Finish up your day with some skating at the South Charleston Me morial Ice Skating Rink.  That’s right, skating.  You know you want to.

Those are a couple of seriously full days.  Whoever said there’s nothing to do in West Virginia during the wintertime just didn’t take the time to look.  Enjoy!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Things to Do, Uncategorized | No Comments »

A Southern West Virginia Night-Before-Christmas

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

‘Twas the night before Christmas in southern WV
And all through the mountains, folks snoozed peacefully

Appalachian Coaltown Christmas

Appalachian Coaltown Christmas

The wood smoke rose up from the hollers in puffs
And old dogs everywhere sat back on their duffs

There was silence in Hinton, no trains rumbling by
No lights to blur out all the stars in the sky

It was peaceful and quiet along the Greenbrier
The picturesque river valley in winter attire

And from over along the Hatfield-McCoy Trail
There were no ATVs, just sleeping whitetails

Even in Beckley, the south’s biggest town
The streets were all hushed; there was no one around

When from over the treetops, what did appear?
It was Santa’s  sleigh, come to spread Christmas cheer

Santa said, “Here I am!  Hello, West Virginia!
I’m always my happiest when travellin’ within ya!”

“I’ve come far and wide, up holler and ridge
And I just flew right under the New River Gorge Bridge!”

And people came out of their cabins to see
The great jolly man who was shouting with glee.

“I brought you all presents,” he said to great cheers.
“I want to thank all of you good Mountaineers!”

“I have art from Lewisburg, and crafts from the Gauley,
Gift Certificates that everyone in the family will love, prob’ly!”

“Cabins to rent, golf to be played,
Stays in places you’ll want to have stayed!”

“The world’s greatest adventure vacations, I’m crafting,
and did I mention last summer I went whitewater rafting?”

Then he waved to all the good people down low
Who were looking up skyward from their warm winter homes

And he jingled his sled toward the full moon so bright,
“Merry Christmas to Y’all, and to y’all, a good night!”

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »
National Parks West Virginia Hotels in West Virginia
Southern West Virgina. Contact | Media